The wild story of Fernando Alonso’s Popemobile near-miss revealed

Yago de la Cierva recalled that back in 2011, when Pope Benedict XVI visited Spain for World Youth Day, discussions involving around 200 security officials even included a proposal to have Alonso drive the Popemobile. The idea was immediately met with strong opposition, with authorities firmly shutting it down.

“In all papal trips there are surprises and we want to work so that in this one, there will be,” he recently said in a press conference. “In 2011, for example, we had a meeting with 200 authorities in the field of security, we wanted the Popemobile to be driven by Fernando Alonso and they shouted to the skies.”

Despite efforts to argue that Alonso, as a professional driver, would be more than capable behind the wheel and would not pose any risk to the Pope, officials stood their ground, insisting that only a trained police officer could be allowed to drive the vehicle.

The former Williams driver acknowledged Alonso’s status as one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history, but argued that his public criticism of the team is not fitting for a two-time world champion. In his view, a driver at that level should focus on driving and contributing to improving the project, rather than openly targeting the people he works with.

Patrese also pointed out that this is not the first time Alonso has adopted such an approach, suggesting it is a pattern that has resurfaced throughout his career. While he admitted that Alonso’s frustrations may be understandable given the car’s issues, he insisted that someone of his stature should be defending the team’s situation rather than attacking it.