Bonetto, Felice
Name/Title
Bonetto, FeliceEntry/Object ID
2025.1.101Description
Felice Bonetto was born on June 9, 1903, in Manerbio, near Brescia, Italy. Nicknamed “Il Pirata” (“The Pirate”) for his aggressive driving style, he began racing motorcycles before switching to cars in 1931. Bonetto became one of Italy’s most respected postwar racing drivers, competing in Formula One from 1950 to 1953 and earning two podium finishes. His greatest success came in sports car racing, where he won the prestigious Targa Florio in 1952 driving for Lancia and achieved strong results in events such as the Mille Miglia. Despite his talent and popularity, Bonetto never won a Formula One Grand Prix and competed during an era when mechanical failures and dangerous racing conditions were common. His Formula One career produced no victories, though he remained a highly competitive driver into his fifties. His career ended tragically on November 21, 1953, when he crashed while leading the Carrera Panamericana in Mexico near Silao, Guanajuato. He suffered fatal injuries after striking a roadside obstacle, dying at age 50.Photograph Details
Subject
Felice BonettoCollection
Simeone - PhotographCategory
Race Car Drivers, Formula One, Targa Florio