The excitement and anticipation that prevails around dark horses in any sport is always an element sure to spice up the competition and focus a warning light on the red hot favourites.

And right now, with timing that could not be more critical, that is the intriguing situation in Formula One with Australian Daniel Ricciardo’s burgeoning threat proved by his second place in Monaco last time out when, but for his backup team’s time-consuming blundering at a pit stop, he could have been a worthy winner.

The Red Bull fighter looks ready, willing and able to fend off, or seriously impair, a resurgent Lewis Hamilton’s overdue championship charge and his bid for an impressive fifth victory in the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal this Sunday.

Hamilton’s breakthrough in Monaco, his 44th Grand Prix triumph after a seriously worrying and barren spell in defence of his world crown placed him third on the all-time winners’ list and has sent him roaring back into the championship reckonings — but Ricciardo, in a revitalised and updated car, has begun to loom largely as a raider posing a deadly serious challenge.

Interestingly and coincidentally the Montreal track, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, is favoured by both drivers who each had their debut wins there. Hamilton in 2007, Ricciardo seven years later.

Now three-time champion Hamilton faces his 174th grand prix. Ricciardo is on his 94th start.

“I just love the place,” enthuses the Australian. ”I love Canada. I love Montreal.

“I love this track. It is a circuit where I can really muscle the car around. I had my first win here, so it will always be special. To do it again on Sunday is my dream. And my aim. I am really keen to put on a great show. And my car right now feels like it can be a winner.”

“I’ll be looking out for him, that’s for sure,” is Hamilton’s warning to himself.

The ever-present smile on the cheery 26-year-old’s face masks a fearsome stamina to be a winner — based on a blessing of sheer talent when his Grand Prix transport responds and equals his ambitions for it to be first under the chequered flag.

His off-track affability, too, surrenders to cold-eyed intent if a rival driver ahead presents him with the narrowest of narrow gaps for an overtake in a split-second of action and reaction right on the edge.

It is a constant that has edged him up the rankings and ahead of the illustrious likes of world champions Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button — and I know for sure Hamilton has a wary eye peeled for the ever-growing presence appearing in his rear-view mirror...or, as he did in Monaco, watching him streaking into a steady and unruffled lead.

It is impossible not to like and admire Ricciardo and enjoy his friendship and familiarity and there is nothing phoney about it. He is as genuine a guy as they come.

Incidentally, while I remember, his name is pronounced Riccardo instead of, despite his Sicilian dad’s background, the Italian way.... Rit-Chard-Do.

Something else, too, if you have noticed, and wondered about it, there is a Honey Badger image adorning the back of his helmet.

“It is supposed to be the most fearsome animal of them all,” he explains.

“It looks cute and cuddly until somebody or something dares to cross its territory.

“Then it turns savage and nasty and will go after anything in its way... tigers, giant snakes... whatever the size and reputation of the rival.”

And with that familiar dazzling grin he adds: “But, basically, he’s a good guy. Like me....”

It is impossible to argue that view.