Las Vegas Grand Prix: Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda ‘almost sent home’ after immigration detention

Japanese Formula One driver Yuki Tsunoda says he was “almost sent back home” after being detained by immigration officials while trying to enter the US.

The 24-year-old flew to America earlier this week ahead of Sunday’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Tsunoda was not accompanied by his Red Bull team, traveling to the United States with only his physiotherapist.

Despite having the correct documents and visas, Tsunoda says he was detained by US Customs and Border Protection for up to three hours.

“Luckily, they let me in after some discussion,” Tsunoda said.

“Well, a lot of talk, actually. But yeah, I almost got sent back home.

“Suddenly he (the official) put me in the room and when we had a conversation I said to myself: ‘Can I bring the person I’m traveling with?’ Maybe it can help a bit to explain a bit more about me and the Formula 1 situation?

“But they didn’t allow me to bring them or even call someone. I wanted to call the team too or maybe F1 so they could help me. But in that room, you can’t do anything.”

Tsunoda said he was wearing pajamas at the time after a long flight and “maybe I didn’t look like an F1 driver”.

The Japanese driver claims the immigration official asked for details of his salary during the interview.

“(It’s an) awkward thing, I just feel like the things that I was under pressure from them, I couldn’t say anything about,” he continued.

“If I say anything, I feel like I have more problems. I hope all things (have) been resolved. Fortunately, I got through without problems (in the end).”

The Las Vegas Grand Prix starts at 06:00 GMT on Sunday.