The entire motorsport world was perplexed to see the images showing a young driver named Artem Severiukhin, who is only 15 years old, making the Nazi salute this weekend during his appearance on the podium for becoming the winner of the FIA Karting Championship European Championship, which took place in the Portuguese city of Portimão.
In the images that went viral through social media he is seen as Severiukhin, who obtained an Italian license to compete after the sanctions imposed on Russian sportsmen by the Ukrainian war, beating his chest and then extending his arm in the traditional fascist salute. Immediately afterwards, the young competitor laughs in complicity with people in the audience.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has quickly issued a statement on the event, in which it assures that it opened an investigation into the “unacceptable behavior shown by Russian driver Artem Severiukhin”.
“The FIA confirms that it has launched an immediate investigation into the unacceptable conduct of Mr. Artem Severiukhin in the OK category, during Round 1 of the 2022 FIA Karting European Championship at the Algarve International Kartodrome in Portugal. The FIA will shortly communicate the additional steps that will be taken in this case,” reads the statement released by the agency.
Artem Severiukhin decided to apologize with a video in English and another in Russian posted to his Instagram account. In his message, he says that he does not defend Nazi ideas: “I would like to apologize for what happened yesterday at the European Karting Championship. Standing on the podium, I made a gesture that many perceived as a Nazi greeting. But that's not true, I never supported Nazism and I consider it one of the most terrible crimes against humanity. I can't explain how everything else happened. I know it's my fault, I know I'm stupid and I'm ready to be punished. But please understand that I did not support Nazism or fascism with this gesture.”
However, it was too late. The Ward Racing team announced its expulsion: “Ward Racing condemns the personal actions of driver Artem Severyukhin during the awards ceremony on April 10, 2022 in the strongest possible terms, considering them a manifestation of unsportsmanlike behavior, an unacceptable violation of the codex ethical and moral aspects of sport. Based on these considerations, Ward Racing sees no possibility of continued cooperation with Artem Severyukhin and will continue with the termination of his racing contract. Finally, Ward Racing would like to apologize to those who were injured or distressed by the event.”
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