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Formula 1 Driver Detained By U.S. Border Officials Ahead Of Vegas Race

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Nov 21, 2024 11:43 AM ET

Yuki Tsunoda said United States border control agents questioned him for hours before he entered the country for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The Japanese Formula 1 driver told reporters he got interrogated in his pajamas and feared getting denied entry. The 24-year-old eventually cleared customs and will compete for his RB team on Saturday.

"Luckily, they let me in after a couple of discussions," Tsunoda said, via Autosport. "Well, a lot of discussions, actually. I nearly got sent back home."

Tsunoda said he was traveling with his physio but had to go through immigration on his own. He was taken to a side room, where he was not permitted to contact anyone for help explaining his situation.

"They didn't allow me to bring them or even call anyone," Tsunoda said. "I wanted to call the team as well, or maybe F1 so they can help me. But in that room, you can't do anything."

Tsunoda, who said he entered the U.S. "smoothly" for races earlier this year, remained unsure of the issue since he had his visa. He wondered if border agents doubted he was an F1 driver because of his pajamas.

"It just feels that I got a lot of pressure from them, and I couldn't say anything," Tsunoda recalled. "Otherwise, if I say something, I feel like I'm more in trouble."

Tsunoda finished 14th when traveling to Texas for last month's Pirelli United States Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver is 11th in the standings with five top-five finishes, including a seventh-place result at Miami in May.

After making his way through customs, Tsunoda will hope to leave the country with his first career F1 victory. The Las Vegas Grand Prix starts Saturday at 10 p.m. local time.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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