After greater than 500 races overlaying F1 and motorsport, Argentinian journalist Juan Fossaroli has turn into probably the most recognisable faces within the paddock. Throughout the Austrian GP, he confirmed me the bracelets he wears on his proper wrist whereas holding the microphone, and shared tales of household presents, private travels and his friendship with Argentine driver Franco Colapinto.
For F1 followers in Argentina, Juan Fossaroli’s bracelets are virtually as acquainted because the ESPN microphone. Worn on the precise hand, the identical that holds the mic, the gathering has turn into a part of his signature picture, even when his face shouldn’t be within the body. “If I’m sick, I can simply give all my bracelets to any person and fake it’s me,” he jokes.
Probably the most well-known faces in South American motorsport journalism, he has coated F1 and the paddock for 28 years, interviewed many of the sport’s drivers since earlier than Fernando Alonso’s rise to the highest within the early 2000s, and celebrated the milestone of attending his five hundredth race by the tip of 2025.
Whereas Juan’s bracelet choice rotates occasionally, his core items keep: those gifted by his daughter Sofia, his nephew and the Argentine driver Franco Colapinto, Juan’s buddy. As quickly because the string begins sporting out on certainly one of his favourite bracelets, Juan replaces it by himself earlier than risking it snapping.
He prefers to restrict the variety of bracelets he wears at anyone time to a handful of items. If his wrist begins to really feel crowded, he retains new additions at residence or carries spare ones, subsequent in line as a alternative. When that occurs, the beads Juan manages to salvage, generally from lodge sheets or the airplane flooring, are saved in a pot of good-luck charms at residence, ready to be restrung or given a brand new string coloration.
Tiger’s eye
Juan’s very first bracelet is a Tiger’s eye piece he purchased in France just a few years in the past, which he used to put on by itself earlier than the gathering began to take form. Quickly after he obtained a second one in a similar way however barely completely different coloration, to put on as a pair.
Household presents
Essentially the most treasured items in Juan’s assortment got to him by his 12-year-old daughter, Sofia. Her first current was certainly one of her hair ties, gifted to him when she was 5, with the promise that he would hold it each time he traveled. “She stated, ‘For those who lose it, it’s going to be dangerous luck,’” he remembers, noting that he has worn it for 7 years straight.
Sofia additionally crafted him an equally colourful bracelet spelling out his title.
To match his earlier items in earthy colours, his daughter made him one in additional muted undertones, embellished with the phrase Papula, a nickname for “Daddy”. Though the handmade piece broke, Juan was fortunate to salvage the letters, which he now wears on a necklace. It additionally carries canine tags with the names of his three youngsters. “It’s the order of Santino, Sol and Sofia. It appears like a military factor, but it surely’s my very own spin on youngsters’ names,” he says.
One other favourite in Juan’s assortment is a blue-beaded bracelet gifted by his nephew.
In a special shade of blue, Juan acquired a bracelet from his niece and goddaughter as a birthday reward in 2025. He plans to begin sporting it as soon as certainly one of his different bracelets breaks.
Franco Colapinto
When Franco began competing in F1 in 2024, a fan gifted him a pair of bracelets bearing his title. Franco stored one for himself and gave Juan the opposite one, which he continues to put on right now despite the fact that the ink began fading. Juan says Franco was fortunately stunned to see him sporting it for this lengthy. “He stated — subsequent time I’m going to offer you one other one! He’s only a tremendous good man.”
Juan has been reporting on Franco’s profession since he raced in Method 3. They first met in Le Mans. The 2 typically alternate messages and generally hit the health club collectively in Buenos Aires. The Argentine journalist sees lots of his youthful self within the 23-year-old driver and is aware of simply the precise instances to method him or let him focus. “It’s precisely the way in which I used to be once I was his age,” he says. Franco typically lights up as he walks via the paddock and spots Juan, who can be good buddies with the driving force’s father, Aníbal Colapinto.
Weddings, browsing and Lord of the Rings
Juan can be keen on rings and tries to at all times put on at the least one. “It offers me confidence. If I take them off it seems like one thing is lacking,” he says.
On his left hand, Juan factors to his wedding ceremony ring, initially meant for his sister’s ceremony. Her desire for platinum impressed him to have it made in Argentina as a present, sized to match hers and her North American fiancé’s measurements. When Juan introduced them to New York simply earlier than the marriage, the couple realized the rings didn’t match both the bride or the groom, so Juan had it refitted to his and his spouse’s personal wedding ceremony as a substitute.
Juan additionally pointed to his different rings as journey mementos and household presents. The silver, wave-adorned ring on his left hand was purchased in Mexico, a reminder of his connection to browsing. On his proper hand, Juan highlights a Lord of the Rings piece (despite the fact that it isn’t gold), additionally acquired throughout a visit to Mexico.
If he should briefly set these rings apart, Juan takes delight in at all times discovering his method again to them, even when it takes looking all around the home or searching for them in sudden locations. “It’s not like I’m superstitious, however I’m type of,” he says. “They have to at all times be with me.”
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