Liam Lawson has revealed how he was almost caught out by his lack of "organisational skills".
As with any Formula 1 driver, their passport fills up very quickly with stamps and visas due to the amount of travel undertaken over any given season.
You would assume the off-season, over the winter, would be the most opportune time to renew, given the many weeks available to do so.
Racing Bulls driver Lawson, however, could have found himself up against it if the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix had gone ahead as scheduled in mid-April.
The 24-year-old only opted to renew after the Japanese Grand Prix, following a hectic start to the campaign of pre-season testing in Barcelona and Bahrain, and then three races in four weekends in Australia, China, and then Suzuka.
Immediately following the race in Japan, Lawson highlighted the fact that he had to return to New Zealand to get a new passport as he had "run out of pages". It at least afforded him time at home.
Speaking to the media, including RacingNews365, Lawson said: "I ended up staying in New Zealand a little bit longer, with my family, so it was good.
"So I got a new passport, and I'm good for another five years - or by the time I run out of pages again!"
Pointed out by RacingNews365 that it was an odd time to do a passport renewal, after a few races into the season, and that he would likely have run into difficulties if the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia had gone ahead, Lawson smiled.
He replied: "That's my preparation and sort of organisational skills that are highlighted there. I probably should have done it before the season."
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