Lewis Hamilton's team sends F1 car to home of terminally ill boy Harry Shaw

Lewis Hamilton has been praised for sending out a Formula One car to the home of a terminally ill five-year-old boy.

The 34-year-old dedicated his Spanish Grand Prix victory to Harry Shaw, who is battling against a rare bone cancer.

In a remarkable gesture, Hamilton's Mercedes team hastily arranged for one of their Formula One cars to park outside Harry's home in Redhill on Monday.

The youngster left his home for the first time in three weeks as he was shown around Hamilton's car by a Mercedes employee.

Five-year-old Harry Shaw is carried by his father James with mother Charlotte to view a replica of Lewis Hamilton's Formula 1 car outside their home. Credit: PA

Harry was presented with Hamilton's winning trophy from the race in Barcelona, and a pair of the world champion's racing gloves.

"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.

Harry and his parents holding Lewis Hamilton's Formula 1 trophy which he won in Barcelona on Sunday. Credit: PA

"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.

"He is very inquisitive, so that is typical of Harry, asking questions and getting involved. Mercedes have taken us to a much-better place in a dark time."

Harry Shaw is carried by his father James as they view a replica of Lewis Hamilton's Formula 1 car outside their home in Redhill. Credit: PA

Hamilton had been alerted to Harry's tragic plight after Mercedes showed a video of support from the youngster, sent to them by his family, ahead of Sunday's race.

Wearing a Mercedes cap, and lying next to a signed Hamilton picture in his London hospital bed, Harry said: "Hello Lewis Hamilton, good luck winning the race in Spain and thank you for all of the gifts.

"Lots of love from Harry and goodbye."

Following the win which puts him firmly in the box seat for a sixth title, an emotional Hamilton said: "I got a great message from this young kid called Harry and he just became my spirit angel.

"When I woke up this morning, I was a bit lost and wondering how today was going to go. Then I saw that message and I was like, 'I see you, Harry, I've got you'.

"I was looking for inspiration and something to grab to, so I dedicate today's race to him.

"You try to go out there and do something for someone. It doesn't always turn out as well as it has but I hope he is watching."

Lewis Hamilton

The world champions did not want to publicise their touching gesture, which involved some team members jetting out of Barcelona on Sunday night, before swiftly returning for this week's test which starts on Tuesday.

But Harry's parents, James and Charlotte, are keen to talk about their son's devastating illness in a bid to raise money for research into Ewing's Sarcoma.

Their JustGiving page has already hit £20,000 - the tally stood at a little more than £2,000 before Hamilton devoted his win to the youngster.

Find out more about Harry's story and his giant pledge here.