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F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda detained, questioned by U.S. border officials ahead of Las Vegas Grand Prix

JHby: Jonathan Howard11/21/24Jondean25
Yuki Tsunoda
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

On his way into the United States for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda was detained and questioned upon entry. Tsunoda drives for the Red Bull Visa CashApp team and has raced in America twice this season alone without prior issues.

Yuki Tsunoda is a Japanese driver who mainly lives in Italy where his F1 organization is based. That isn’t strange for a driver in that series. Much like drivers moving to North Carolina to be closer to their NASCAR organizations.

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Tsunoda spoke to the media after his ordeal with customs.

“Luckily, they let me in after a couple of discussions,” the driver said, via RacingNews365. “Well, a lot of discussions actually. But yeah, I nearly got sent back home. Everything is all good, so I’m here now.”

During his detainment, Yuki Tsunoda was held for two or three hours. It was not a usual encounter that he had when traveling, even into the United States. His visa was valid and for the last four seasons, he has raced in America on the F1 circuit.

Formula One drivers are always going from one country to the next. They don’t usually get pulled aside like this. Despite his ordeal, Tsunoda was not eager to delve into many details. The driver seems to want to largely move on from this.

Yuki Tsunoda entered early for Red Bull promo

While speaking to the media, Yuki Tsunoda revealed that he had come earlier than needed for the race. Red Bull had planned promotional events around Tsunoda and three-time F1 champion Max Verstappen.

The driver would not give too many details but did feel like he had done everything correctly to get into the country smoothly. For whatever reason, that didn’t happen.

“I did the visas and everything. It’s been the same the last three tracks, right? I was able to enter smoothly at the previous track [COTA],” Tsunoda said, via RacingNews 365.

“Felt a bit strange that I got stopped and had a proper discussion. Luckily, it didn’t go on more than two or three hours. It’s not the first time we’ve come here this year. I heard a lot of things, but hopefully that is all well in the future – and smoothly.”

Yuki Tsunoda is coming off a season-best P7 (third time this season) in Sao Paolo, Brazil. He is hoping that he can improve upon his P18 finish at Las Vegas a year ago.