Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda faced an unexpected hurdle ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix—not on the track, but at the border. The Japanese driver revealed he was detained for hours by U.S. customs officials, nearly being sent back home despite holding all necessary travel documents.
A Rocky Start to Vegas
Tsunoda’s troubles began upon arrival in the United States, his third visit this year after races in Miami and Austin. While his previous entries went smoothly, this time was different. “Luckily they let me in after a lot of discussions—I nearly got sent back home,” he admitted.
Despite having the required visas and paperwork, Tsunoda found himself detained for questioning, a situation he described as “strange” given his trouble-free entries for earlier races.
Lost in Translation
The situation was made more difficult by Tsunoda’s limited English proficiency, which left him struggling to communicate effectively with customs officials. To make matters worse, he wasn’t allowed assistance from his physio, team members, or even Formula 1 representatives during the questioning.
“They just put me in the room,” Tsunoda explained. “I asked if I could bring the person I travel with to help explain my situation, but they didn’t allow it. I wanted to call the team or Formula 1, but in that room, you can’t do anything.”
The Lone Driver
Tsunoda’s story highlights the challenges faced by international athletes navigating complex immigration systems, particularly when language barriers come into play. For Tsunoda, the ordeal was both frustrating and isolating. “It was tough being alone and trying to explain everything,” he said. “Hopefully this gets sorted so it doesn’t happen again.”
A Bumpy Road to the Strip
While Tsunoda is now focused on the Las Vegas Grand Prix, his border drama adds an unusual pre-race story to a weekend already buzzing with anticipation. The incident underscores the often-overlooked logistical challenges F1 teams and drivers face as they crisscross the globe.
As Tsunoda prepares to tackle The Strip Circuit under the bright lights of Las Vegas, fans will be hoping the only battles he faces now are on the track—not at customs.