F'ing Customs IDIOTS!!!!
Tsunoda almost denied US entry for Las Vegas GP:
— Yuki Tsunoda revealed he was nearly denied entry into the United States ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix after being held by border control for several hours.
— Speaking to media, Tsunoda recounted:
“Luckily, they let me in after a couple of discussions. Well, a lot of discussions, actually. But yeah, I nearly got sent back home. Everything is all good, so I’m here now.”
— Despite holding a valid visa and having already raced in the US twice this year (Miami and Austin), Tsunoda described the experience as “strange.”
“It felt a bit strange that I got stopped and had a proper discussion. Luckily, it didn’t go on more than two or three hours. It’s not the first time we’ve come here this year.”
— Tsunoda was travelling without his team, accompanied only by his physio, which made it challenging to clarify his situation. He explained:
“I wanted to call the team or Formula 1, maybe that person could help me, but in that room, you can’t do anything.”
“Can I bring the person I’ve travelled with? Maybe he can help explain more about myself and the situation that I’m a Formula 1 driver. But they didn’t allow that.”
— Tsunoda speculated that his casual attire may have played a role in the confusion:
“Maybe I didn’t look like an F1 driver. I was wearing pyjamas. He [the customs officer] even asked me about my salary and everything.”
— Despite the tense experience, Tsunoda concluded:
“It was an uncomfortable thing; I felt like there was a lot of pressure, and I couldn’t say anything without feeling I’d get into more trouble. Hopefully, all things are solved now.”