Bastianini slammed his Ducati stable-mate Zarco in the back as they warmed up their brakes on the way to their starting positions shortly before the start of the 23-lap race in Mugello on Sunday.
As a result, the Avintia driver was unable to start, while Zarco had to end the race with cosmetic damage to his GP21.
The stewards are currently investigating the crash.
Bastianini – who injured his leg in the incident – says Zarco’s braking was “very strange” and made it “impossible” to avoid him.
“It’s a really difficult day for me, but I think for all the drivers too, because after the announcement from Jason [Dupasquier’s death], I think we’re not focused for the race, ”said Bastianini.
“After that, when we were on the grid, Zarco braked very strangely, very hard and it was impossible not to hit him.
“It’s crazy to me, it’s the only thing I can say.
“I don’t know, my body is like this and it is important for Barcelona to recover and we will see what happens in Montmelo.”
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Zarco admits that he thought his bike would be “ruined” for the race after the collision, but is glad Bastianini wasn’t seriously injured.
“A lot has happened,” Zarco told Canal +. “Even before the start, Bastianini beat me.
: We all come out of the last corner, accelerate and brake to keep the tires warm and ready for the start.
“And … you can see the picture now [he’s looking at a TV screen]… wow … well the most important thing is that he wasn’t hurt.
“But I thought that when it hit me, my bike would be ruined for the race.
“I looked at my saddle, I saw that it was okay, I started. The start wasn’t great, but I was able to hold my position. “
Zarco drove in the podium battle for most of the 23-lap race, but ultimately missed the fourth podium of the season ahead of Suzuki’s Joan Mir and KTM’s Miguel Oliveira in fourth.