Japan's Yuki Tsunoda 'nearly sent home' at U.S. border

Field Level Media|published: Thu 21st November, 12:17 2024

Oct 19, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team driver Yuki Tsunoda (22) of Team Japan walks into the track before the Sprint Race in the 2024 Formula One US Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Japanese F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda said he "nearly got sent back home" by U.S. border officials when he arrived for Saturday's Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The 24-year-old racer for Red Bull-owned RB told reporters Wednesday that he was wearing pajamas when he was pulled aside and questioned for several hours before being allowed into the country.

"Luckily, they let me in after a couple of discussions," he said. "Well, a lot of discussions, actually ... I nearly got sent back home. Everything is all good now but yeah, luckily I'm here."

Tsunoda said he had no issues entering the U.S. earlier this year for races in Miami and Austin, Texas.

"I was wearing pajamas, so maybe I didn't look like an F1 driver," Tsunoda said.

It was not immediately clear where Tsunoda went through customs.

Tsunoda has eight top-10 finishes in 21 starts this season and currently ranks 11th in the F1 drivers' standings.

--Field Level Media

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