Barros: no orders from Ducati

"Ducati have always said you can race to the flag," said 2001 Mugello winner Barros.

"They said it clear to me at the start of the season. They said, 'Alex, the team give you the bike to you to do the best you can. No worries about anything else.' They told me clear like this.

"I thought a little bit when I was behind Casey, because I don't want it to be my fault to be upsetting the championship."

Barros admitted that Ducati would probably be happier if Stoner had held onto his podium position, but felt it was also important for the team to show that their satellite team were competitive.

"I think they are disappoint for the championship, but I think they are very happy that they show that the Ducati works outside the factory team," he said. 

"So the Ducati target is that they need to show that 'I rent my bike for another team but my bike is as fast as the factory team' and that is very important for Ducati."