His gesture only made him laugh. Winner of a karting race this weekend in Portugal, Artem Severiukhin distinguished himself on the top step of the podium by performing a Nazi salute.
When celebrating his victory, counting for the European Karting Championship, the young Russian driver, only 15 years old, first hit himself in the heart twice during the hymns. In the process, he made this brief Nazi salute before bursting out laughing.
На чемпіонаті світу з Картингу Росіянин Артем северюхін продемонстрував нацистське вітання. Вимагаємо пожиттєвої дискваліфікації.
Russian Artem Severiukhin showed a nazi salute at the World Karting Championship. We demand lifelong disqualification. @fia @fiakarting how are you? pic.twitter.com/eVH6dMnEeP
— Freel (@FreelFreel) April 10, 2022
However, there was no laughing matter. His gesture, which aroused many reactions to him on social networks, did not at all make the International Motorsport Federation (FIA) laugh.
The latter was quick to react and opened “an immediate investigation into the unacceptable conduct” of the boy authorized to compete under the colors of Italy, while Russian pilots are prohibited from flying under their banner due to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
FIA Statement pic.twitter.com/rLIvW21PaK
— FIA (@fia) April 11, 2022
“The FIA will communicate the conclusions shortly as well as the additional measures to be taken in this matter,” it said in a press release. His team also took the matter very seriously.
If Artem Severiukhin apologized in a video posted on Instagram, while denying having made a Nazi salute, his contract will be broken by Ward Racing. “Ward Racing sees no possibility of further cooperation with Artem Severiukhin and will proceed with the termination of his racing contract,” the team said in a statement. What make him seriously regret his gesture.