Bastianini started from twelfth place on the grid on his two-year-old Ducati and overtook Marquez in fourth place on the sixth lap of the 27-lap race at Misano on Sunday.
The Avintia driver finished third and took his first podium in the premier class. He later admitted that overtaking Marquez – whom he called “the boss of MotoGP” – was “fantastic”.
Marquez showered the young Italian with praise after finishing fourth over five seconds behind him after being forced to slack off while following Bastianini.
When asked by Motorsport.com what he thought of the Avintia rookie’s race, Marquez said: “Yes, Bastianini today, of course … throughout the weekend [he was fast].
“In QP1 he did 1m31.8s, so if someone can do 1m31.8s it means they have the speed.
“When he passed me, I immediately understood that this guy, this rookie today, has a great chance.
“And in part of the race I followed him and we caught up [Fabio] Quartararo and the top guys. But then I saw that I was beyond my limits and said, ‘Calm down, let him go’.
“But he drove very well. He understands the Ducati very well, the driving style, he braked late and came out of the curve with a lot of torque and a lot of grip.
“Well, nothing special, but he did everything right. Well, if you do that with MotoGP [bike] the Lapime is coming. “
Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Regarding his own race, Marquez says the fourth result was a “more important” result than his podium a week ago in Aragon, as it came on a track that was much more physically demanding on his right shoulder.
He was quick to point out, however, that he is still “far away” from the pace to regularly compete for victories – which is also due to the shortcomings of the 2021 Honda, as well as his physical condition.
“That fourth place is obviously more important than second place last week,” added Marquez.
“It means more. But it’s true, my goal is to fight for victory and yet I feel far away.
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“For example, OK, I finished fourth, but I feel far from the speed that” [Francesco] Bagnaia and Quartararo drove with us today and so did Bastianini – he was very strong.
“But today I noticed that I still have to improve my physical condition and it is not 100%, but we also have some major weaknesses on the bike, without which we could be faster.
“Even if we were on the right course, a course on which my team-mate was very strong all weekend, for example, we are ahead by a nose.
“So that means the level is there, but I don’t want the level to be the first Honda. I want the level to fight for the championship and fight for victory every race weekend.”