Yuki Tsunoda revealed he “nearly got sent back home” after being questioned by immigration officials in America ahead of this weekend’s Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The RB driver had arrived in the USA earlier this week, and upon entering the country through the airport, was detained by staff and questioned as to whether he was going to be allowed to remain in the country.
The Japanese driver, in his fourth season with the Red Bull junior outfit, said he was doubtful that he would be allowed to stay, and that he struggled to convey that he was there to compete in the race.
“Luckily they let me in after a couple of discussions, a lot of discussions, actually,” he said. “I nearly got sent back home. Everything is all good now but yeah, luckily I’m here.”
“There was my physio that I travel with,” he added. “Obviously when you go through customs, you go individually, right?
“And suddenly he [the official] just put me in the room and when I had a conversation I was like: can I bring the person that I’m going to travel with? Maybe he can help a little bit to explain a bit more about myself and the situation in Formula 1?
“But they didn’t allow me to bring them or even call anyone. I wanted to call the team as well, or maybe F1 so they can help me. But in that room, you can’t do anything.”
Tsunoda confused his US entry was troubled following recent Austin visit
Tsunoda conveyed his confusion at the situation as he had already had only visited the United States roughly a month before landing in Vegas.
The Japanese driver had no issues arriving in Austin, Texas for October’s United States GP, but theorised his appearance in Vegas could have caused a problem.
“Maybe I was wearing pyjamas and the colour looks like a… I don’t know,” he said.
“It just feels that I got a lot of pressure from them, and I couldn’t say anything.
“Otherwise if I say something I feel like I’m more in trouble. Luckily I went through smoothly.”
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