How Fernando Alonso Almost Drove the Pope's Popemobile
A Spanish official has revealed that organizers for a 2011 papal visit proposed Fernando Alonso drive the Pope's Popemobile, a plan instantly vetoed by furious security officials who insisted only a police officer could take the wheel. The story highlights Alonso's national hero status and the strict protocols protecting the Pope.
In 2011, Spanish organizers for a papal visit seriously proposed that two-time F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso should chauffeur Pope Benedict XVI in the Popemobile, a plan that was swiftly and firmly rejected by Vatican security officials. The anecdote, recently revealed by a Spanish event coordinator, highlights the intersection of national pride, celebrity, and the immense security protocols surrounding the Pope, even as Alonso currently grapples with a difficult season driving for Aston Martin.
Why it matters:
This story underscores the unique cultural status of top Formula 1 drivers, particularly in their home countries, where they are seen as national heroes capable of any driving task. It also humorously contrasts the world of high-speed racing with the deliberate, protected pace of the Papal motorcade, revealing the absolute priority of security over any symbolic or publicity-driven gestures for such a high-profile figure.
The details:
- The proposal was made ahead of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Spain for World Youth Day in 2011.
- Yago de la Cierva, now coordinating an upcoming 2024 papal visit, disclosed the plan during a recent press conference, noting it was discussed in a meeting with 200 security authorities.
- The reaction from security officials was immediate and severe: "They shouted to the skies. They were furious. They told us: absolutely not!"
- De la Cierva humorously defended the idea, stating, "I told them that Fernando probably knew how to drive a car. The Pope wouldn’t be in danger."
- The officials' non-negotiable condition was that the Popemobile must be driven by a police officer, a standard security protocol.
The big picture:
The revelation comes at a time when Alonso is enduring a challenging period with Aston Martin, a team struggling for performance in the 2024 season. Alonso himself has drawn parallels to his difficult tenure at McLaren, expressing hope for a similar turnaround. He recently stated the team is working "flat out" to understand and fix their problems, citing McLaren's remarkable recovery from last in 2023 to the front by year's end as an optimistic, if dream-like, scenario. This context adds a layer of irony to the Popemobile story, contrasting a past moment of celebrated national recognition with his current on-track battles at the back of the grid.
What's next:
While Alonso won't be adding "Papal chauffeur" to his resume, his focus remains on steering Aston Martin's recovery. The team is banking on upcoming upgrades and a long season to climb the standings. Meanwhile, the anecdote serves as a lasting and amusing footnote in F1 lore, a testament to Alonso's star power and the unyielding nature of Vatican security.