Felice Bonetto (June 9, 1903 – November 21, 1953) was a courageous Italian racer who earned the nickname Il Pirata (The Pirate). He came to the attention of Italian racers in the 1930s and internationally in the 1940s, enjoying success at the Mille Miglia, and grand prix successes driving a Ferrari and a Cisitilia.
During his Formula 1 career, Il Pirata raced Italian cars, starting with a privateer Maserati team, then the factory Alfa Romeo team and finally with the factory Maserati team and achieved two shared podiums.
Bonetto’s greatest successes were in sports cars, including a win at the Targa Florio in 1952, but sadly his career was cut short when he hit his head on the balcony of a house in the 1953 Carrera Panamericana.
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