Harry Shaw gestures from his bed.

Lewis Hamilton said he was inspired to victory in Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix by receiving a humbling message from a five-year-old boy who is fighting cancer.

The defending five-time world champion said the message from Harry Shaw, who is battling Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, helped him defeat Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas who beat him to pole in a "nightmare" qualifying session on Saturday.

Hamilton said that, after being outpaced by Bottas, the message was a welcome boost to his spirits.

"Yesterday was a difficult day, but I arrived today and I got this great message from this young kid called Harry and he just became my spirit and that was my inspiration," Hamilton told Sky Sports after winning ahead of Bottas to return to the top of the world championship.

"When I woke up, I was a bit lost and kind of 'how's today going to go?' and then I saw that message and I was like 'I see you Harry - I've got you'.

"So I want to dedicate this one to Harry, if you are watching, and sending you the love."

A Formula One car has been sent to the home of the cancer-stricken boy who inspired Hamilton's Spanish Grand Prix triumph.

The five-year-old from Surrey is set to lose his battle against a rare bone disease.

Hamilton's Mercedes team then arranged for one of their Formula One cars to park outside Harry's home in Redhill on Monday.

The youngster, cradled in his father James' arms, was then shown around Hamilton's car by a Mercedes employee.

Given the acceleration of his illness, it marked the first time he had been outdoors in three weeks.

Harry was presented with Hamilton's winning trophy from the race in Barcelona, and a pair of the world champion's racing gloves. Hamilton also recorded a video message of support for him to watch.

"I cannot describe how much it means to us all that Lewis won the race for Harry, and then dedicated it to Harry, too," his father James Shaw said.

"At a tremendously difficult time in our lives, this has provided us with a big boost, and a big smile.

"Harry couldn't believe that Lewis Hamilton was talking about him, and had dedicated the race to him. He now thinks that Lewis is his absolute best friend, which, for a five-year-old boy, is amazing.

"Harry loves cars, and although he is frail, he was asking about the exhaust pipe.

"Mercedes have taken us to a much-better place in a dark time."

Agence France-Presse