Japanese Racer Yuki Tsunoda 'Close to Being Deported' at U.S. Border
Japanese Formula One driver Yuki Tsunoda revealed that he was on the verge of being sent back to his home country by U.S. border officials upon his arrival for the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday.
The 24-year-old competitor for Red Bull's RB team shared with journalists on Wednesday that he was clad in pajamas when he was pulled aside and interrogated for several hours before eventually being granted entry into the country.
"Fortunately, after numerous discussions, they allowed me to enter," he stated. "Well, to be honest, there were a lot of discussions... I was almost sent back home. But everything is fine now and I am grateful to be here."
Tsunoda mentioned that he did not encounter any problems when entering the U.S. earlier this year for races in Miami and Austin, Texas.
"I was wearing pajamas, so maybe I didn't look like a Formula One driver," Tsunoda joked.
It is not yet clear where Tsunoda underwent the customs process.
The talented driver has achieved eight top-10 finishes in 21 races this season and currently holds the 11th position in the Formula One drivers' standings.