Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Fernando Alonso was once proposed as the driver of the Popemobile during Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Madrid in 2011, a suggestion that was ultimately rejected by Vatican officials on security grounds.
The visit took place during World Youth Day in August 2011, when local organisers explored an unconventional idea to appoint a national sporting figure to drive the Pope through the streets of the Spanish capital. The proposal was revealed by Yago de la Cierva, coordinator of papal visits to Spain, who explained that Alonso’s name was put forward due to his immense popularity at the time.
In 2011, Alonso was competing for Scuderia Ferrari in Formula 1 and remained one of Spain’s most prominent athletes. Despite not having the most competitive car that season, he delivered consistent performances, including 10 podium finishes and a victory at the British Grand Prix, eventually finishing fourth in the championship standings with 257 points.
From the organisers’ perspective, the proposal carried symbolic and promotional value. Alonso’s involvement was seen as a way to enhance the visibility of the event while reflecting Spain’s national pride in one of its most successful drivers. The timing of the Pope’s visit also coincided with Formula 1’s summer break, one week before racing resumed at Spa-Francorchamps.
However, the suggestion was immediately dismissed by Vatican authorities, who adhere to strict operational protocols regarding papal security. The regulations require that the Popemobile be driven exclusively by trained national security personnel, typically from the police.
“In 2011, we specifically asked if Fernando Alonso could drive the Popemobile. They were outraged and told us, ‘Absolutely not!’,” de la Cierva recalled.
He also attempted to justify the proposal by highlighting Alonso’s expertise as a professional driver at the highest level of motorsport.
“I defended the idea and said, ‘I think he knows how to drive, I mean, I think the Pope is not in danger.’ But they responded that it had to be a national police officer,” he added.
The decision underscored the Vatican’s uncompromising stance on security, where established protocols take precedence over symbolic or promotional considerations. While the idea attracted attention, it did not align with the strict requirements governing papal movements.
The episode serves as a notable anecdote in Alonso’s career, illustrating the extent of his influence beyond Formula 1. It also highlights how leading motorsport figures can intersect with global cultural and institutional events, even if practical limitations ultimately determine the outcome.
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