Source: REUTERS / HAMAD I MOHAMMED
[Saba Sports News] During the media interview day at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Japanese F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda expressed to the media his frustration about being held at the border for several hours, nearly unable to enter the United States. After multiple negotiations, he was eventually released by the border management authorities. Speaking about his experience being interrogated in a room, Tsunoda seemed very agitated, stating he had tried to contact his team or someone from F1 management for help but was denied the opportunity to reach anyone. At the time, he was passing through customs with his physical trainer when suddenly, an immigration officer took him to a separate room. The officers clearly did not recognize him as an F1 driver, not allowing his accompanying personnel into the room nor permitting him to make any phone calls, and they even questioned him about his salary. Tsunoda expressed that he did not understand what went wrong since he had already obtained his visa and had not encountered issues entering during previous races. In that room, he felt helpless and could do nothing. Tsunoda speculated that his casual attire exacerbated the misunderstanding; he was wearing pajamas, which made him look unlike an F1 driver.