Just a few days before the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, one of the paddock’s most beloved drivers, Yuki Tsunoda, experienced a rather unexpected mishap.
Arriving on American soil for a promotional event, the Japanese driver was nearly sent back home after a tense encounter with immigration services. Between endless discussions and absurd misunderstandings, here’s the story of this unusual ordeal.
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An unexpected airport inspection for Tsunoda
Despite planning for a smooth journey, Yuki Tsunoda, the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls driver, was stopped by immigration services upon entering the United States. Although he held all the necessary visas and had recently navigated the Austin-Mexico-Brazil triple-header without issue, something didn’t convince the agents. Yuki was escorted to a private room, where a series of questions began. The worst part? He couldn’t contact his team or his physiotherapist, who was just a few steps away in the airport. “I asked if I could call someone to better explain my situation, but they refused,” he said. Remaining calm, Yuki answered the questions, fully aware that any misstep could escalate the tricky situation.
Yuki Tsunoda said he was nearly denied entry into the United States ahead of the Las Vegas GP after being stopped by officials: pic.twitter.com/AmASHm60jg
— The Race (@wearetherace) November 21, 2024
An outfit raising suspicions for the agents
One theory, suggested by Yuki himself, borders on the comical: his choice of clothing. Dressed in casual attire—what he jokingly referred to as “pajamas”—he believes his look may have cast doubt on his status as a Formula 1 driver. “Maybe it didn’t look very professional. I felt like anything I said might make things worse,” he remarked. This unfortunate anecdote highlights the challenges international athletes can face while traveling. Despite his growing fame and role in the championship, Yuki had to prove that he was indeed the F1 driver he claimed to be. A situation both stressful and surreal for someone accustomed to the spotlight of the paddock.
A happy ending, fortunately
After what felt like hours of questioning—or at least so it seemed to him—the agents finally allowed Yuki Tsunoda to enter the United States. “Everything is fine now, thankfully. But it was tense. I really thought I was going to be sent back,” he admitted. While this incident was certainly uncomfortable, it hasn’t shaken his focus before the race. With the Las Vegas Grand Prix on the horizon, this story will likely become a funny memory to share in the future. If this experience taught him anything, it’s the importance of being prepared for the unexpected—even off the track. So, good news: for now, all the F1 drivers will be present for the free practice sessions and the rest of the weekend!
This article explores Yuki Tsunoda’s unexpected ordeal upon arriving in the United States, where his choice of clothing nearly cost him entry. Between immigration tensions and absurd misunderstandings, this mishap offers a quirky glimpse into the lives of drivers beyond the paddock.
Image: Red Bull Content pool
