Lisbon:Russian karting driver Artem Severiukhin has been sacked by his team after he filmed making a Nazi salute at a Karting European Championship. The 15-year-old go-karter won an event at the FIA Karting European Championship in Portimão, Portugal, on Monday. In a video footage, he could be seen hitting his chest and holding his right arm out while the Italian national anthem played during the podium ceremony. In a video message released by the Russian Automobile Federation (RAF), Severiukhin apologised but denied making a Nazi salute. He said, “It is not true, I have never supported Nazis. I consider it one of the worst crimes against humanity. “I know I am a fool and I’m ready to be punished but please believe that there was no intention in my actions. There was no support of Nazism or racism.” The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has opened an immediate investigation into the “unacceptable conduct” and said it would “communicate shortly on the further steps that will be taken in this case.” Meanwhile, the RAF said it was unacceptable “even an accidental manifestation of fascism and Nazism in Russian motorsport and among Russian athletes.” In a post on Instagram, the Ward Racing said that it “condemns the personal actions of pilot Artem Severyukhin during the award ceremony on April 10, 2022 in the strongest possible terms, as it considers them a manifestation of unsportsmanlike behavior, an unacceptable violation of the ethical and moral sports codex. “With this statement, Ward Racing expresses its opinion, as well as the opinion of all athletes and staff of the Ward Racing team. On the basis of these considerations, Ward Racing sees no possibility for continued cooperation with Artem Severyukhin and will proceed with terminating his racing contract.” UNI RNJ
