Espargaro admits: "I'm a bit alone" with Smith absent

Espargaro and Smith have been teammates within Tech 3's ranks since 2014, and the duo will continue their collaboration as KTM's pair of factory riders next year.

Smith injured his knee during a practice session for the Oschersleben 8 Hours endurance race, and will skip his home event at Silverstone as well as the next round at Misano as a result.

WSBK regular Alex Lowes has been called up to replace Smith, but Espargaro admitted on Friday that racing without Smith, who he always compares himself to, will be unusual.

"It's quite strange, because normally I have to check the screen to see what Bradley is doing, to see if he is faster than me, because he is my limit," explained Espargaro.

"For sure Alex [Lowes will be] in this race, and in the next one, but still then I'm a bit alone.

"If I'm faster than him [Smith] I can be happy; if he is faster I know that my limit can be a little bit wider, I can be faster.

"I normally compare [myself] with Bradley because we ride very different and even when I'm faster he always has some strong points to check and it's my reference.

"We have factory data [to look at], but that is not the same. They have different electronics, different engine and everything, so it's difficult to compare."

Having ended Friday's running at Silverstone 1.3s clear of Lowes, Espargaro said he expects the MotoGP debutant to get closer to him soon.

"I'm sure Alex will be soon on a good level to check," he added. "He is already on a good level, but I mean closer to me."

Additional reporting by Jamie Klein