Tsunoda recounts his misadventures at US customs: "I was almost sent home"

To Yuki tsunoda, this 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix has started off with a bang. And this is not his test by IndyCar which made him go up in his towers but rather his arrival at the airport where the American customs services made him spend a good quarter of an hour.

Indeed, the Japanese was held longer than expected by customs officers, known for their firmness, this Wednesday. A moment that lasted for long hours according to the Racing Bulls driver who did not expect to start his weekend like this when there was at one time talk of a possible deportation!

« Luckily, they let me go after two or three exchanges., he rejoiced as he arrived in the paddock. Well, quite a bit of exchange, actually… For two to three hours…. I was almost sent home. It seemed a bit strange to me given my frequent trips to the country and the fact that I have a valid visa. I was in my pajamas, so maybe I didn’t look like a pilot. Formula 1. They didn't believe I was one. »

Yuki Tsunoda even explained that he experienced this situation alone while traveling with someone. There was my physiotherapist (John Noonan) who i travel withHe says. But when you go through customs, you do it individually. (...) Suddenly, [the officer] brought me into the room and when I had an exchange with him, I asked if I could bring the person I was traveling with. Maybe he could help me explain a little more about my situation and that of Formula 1. But they didn't allow me to be accompanied or even to call anyone. I also wanted to call the team, or maybe F1, so they could help me. But in that room, you can't do anything. » Luckily, everything turned out well. Maybe Yuki Tsunoda won't show up at US customs in his pajamas in the future either.

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