A proposal to allow Fernando Alonso to drive the Pope through Madrid was rejected 15 years ago, it has been revealed.
When Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Madrid for World Youth Day in August 2011, organisers had an unconventional suggestion for who should pilot the papal vehicle through the Spanish capital's streets.
They theorised that Alonso should be handed the task.
The proposal, revealed by Yago de la Cierva, coordinator of papal trips to Spain, was met with immediate resistance from Vatican officials.
"In 2011, we specifically asked if Fernando Alonso could drive the Popemobile. They were outraged and told us, 'Absolutely not!'" de la Cierva recalled.
The suggestion held a certain logic from the organisers' perspective - Alonso, then racing for Ferrari in Formula 1, was at the height of his popularity in Spain.
Despite a sub-par car in 2011, he delivered 10 podium finishes and secured victory at the British Grand Prix, eventually finishing fourth in the championship with 257 points.
The visit from the Pope also occurred during the summer break, one week before the season would resume at Spa-Francorchamps.
De la Cierva attempted to make the case for the two-time world champion's suitability behind the wheel.
"I defended that idea and said, 'I think he knows how to drive, I mean, I think the Pope is not in danger.'
“But [they responded] 'no, it has to be a national police officer,' and it was a national police officer."
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