Alonso's switch to Ferrari has been an open secret in F1 for weeks and BBC Sport understands he signed his contract as long ago as July 2008.

BBC: Ferrari confirm capture of Alonso

Alonso's switch to Ferrari had been the worst-kept secret in F1, and the announcement is likely to trigger a string of driver moves.

BBC: Ferrari confirm capture of Alonso

Because the proceedings are secret, researchers know little about what exactly motivates cardinals to switch their votes, but Romain Lachat, a political scientist at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, says the formation of coalitions where electors slowly rally around a man who may only be their second or third choice is inevitable.

NPR: Arcane Process Encourages Papal Horse Trading