Felice Bonetto

Felice Bonetto, an Italian driver born in 1903, competed in the World Championship from its first season in 1950 through 1953, making sixteen starts. Already in his late forties when the championship began, he was among the generation of pre-war racers who populated the early grids.

He opened his account immediately, scoring two points in a Maserati in 1950. The following year brought the highlight of his career: driving for Alfa Romeo in 1951, he scored seven points and finished eighth in the Drivers' Championship, his best final classification.

Returning to Maserati for 1952 and 1953, Bonetto continued to score in both seasons, taking two points in 1952 and six and a half in 1953, when he placed ninth in the standings. Along the way he recorded two podium finishes and a pole position.

His career total of eighteen points from sixteen starts, with points scored in all four of his seasons, marks him as a consistently competitive presence in the championship's formative years, racing for two of Italy's great marques as well as the small Milano concern.