Felipe Giaffone announced on Wednesday evening (7) his departure from the Grupo Bandeirantes de Comunicação, where he worked for the last five years as one of the commentators for Formula 1 and other motor sports categories. This was the second stint of the analyst and four-time Copa Truck champion at the São Paulo-based broadcaster.
“These were five spectacular years, and I never imagined the size of the affection we would receive from the public during the Formula 1 broadcasts. I want to thank Denis Gavazzi very much for the opportunity to return to Band in 2020 for this new challenge. Adding everything up, it was almost 20 years of partnership with the broadcaster,” said Giaffone in an Instagram post.
“There were many weekends of intense work, always with great company. Sérgio Maurício leading the broadcasts with mastery alongside the legend and friend Reginaldo Leme, who always welcomed me very well. My partner Max Wilson, alternating broadcasts with me, and the extraordinary Mariana Becker, always precise, directly from the circuits,” Giaffone continued.
“Fred Sabino, always in our ear with great tips, and Jayme Brito, coordinating everything from the location. During free practice, I was alongside Tiago Mendonça and Ricardo Molina, with Isa Ayami always nearby and Thiago Fagnani in some on-site broadcasts. These were five years without any kind of conflict, something rare that makes everything even more special. I conclude this cycle with gratitude and pride for having been a part of it all. Thank you very much, Band,” Giaffone added.
The driver and commentator had a long first stint at Band between 2009 and 2018, when he commented mainly on Indy races, a category that returns to the broadcaster this year. In 2019 and 2020, Giaffone was a Formula 1 commentator for the Grupo Globo, returning to the Morumbi neighborhood broadcaster in 2021 for the top-level motor sports category broadcasts.
Rumors suggest that Giaffone may be one of the commentators for Formula 1 when the category returns to Globo’s programming. However, nothing has been confirmed yet.
The 2026 Formula 1 season will begin on March 8 with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
