Method One driver was interrogated by US border management officers earlier than being allowed into the USA forward of this weekend’s .
Japanese driver Tsunoda, who has raced in since 2021, says he was travelling along with his physio however progressed via immigration on his personal.
The 24-year-old was then questioned for a number of hours, regardless of having the right paperwork, earlier than being allowed to enter the nation. Tsunoda had flown in forward of his RB group for a promotional occasion.
“Fortunately, they let me in after a few discussions,” he informed reporters on Wednesday, forward of in Las Vegas.
“Effectively, numerous discussions, truly… I practically acquired despatched again dwelling.
“I used to be sporting pyjamas, so possibly I didn’t appear like an F1 driver.”
Tsunoda added that he didn’t have any points coming into the USA for earlier races this yr, in Austin final month and in Miami in Could.
He added: “There was my physio that I journey with. Clearly, once you undergo customs, you go individually, proper?
“And out of the blue he [the official] simply put me within the room and after I had a dialog I used to be like. ‘can I convey the person who I’m going to journey with? Perhaps he can assist a little bit bit to clarify a bit extra about myself and the scenario in Method 1.’
“However they didn’t enable me to convey them and even name anybody. I needed to name the group as nicely, or possibly F1 to allow them to assist me. However in that room, you may’t do something.
“I did the visas and all the pieces. It’s been a disgrace. I assume with the final three [US races], I used to be in a position to enter easily. So it felt a bit unusual that I acquired stopped and had a correct dialogue.”
“It simply feels that I acquired numerous stress from them, and I couldn’t say something. In any other case, if I say one thing I really feel like I’m extra in bother. Fortunately I went via easily.”
Tsunoda, who is likely one of the contenders to Sergio Perez at Pink Bull subsequent yr, additionally starred eventually yr’s inaugural F1 race in Sin Metropolis.
He’s presently eleventh within the , forward of the ultimate three races of the 2024 season.
Max Verstappen his fourth consecutive world championship this weekend by ending the grand prix above Lando Norris.
