The teenager received his tournament on the FIA Karting Eu Championship in Portimão, Portugal, and video photos posted on-line confirmed him hitting his chest and maintaining his proper arm out whilst the Italian nationwide anthem performed all over the rostrum rite.
Severiukhin — who was once competing beneath an Italian license after motorsport’s governing frame, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automotive (FIA), banned drivers from racing beneath the Russian flag amid the invasion of Ukraine — then laughed with folks from the group who had been off digicam.
In a video message despatched to CNN via the Russian Automotive Federation (RAF), Severiukhin stated he sought after to express regret however stated he didn’t make a Nazi salute.
“It isn’t true, I’ve by no means supported Nazis. I imagine it some of the worst crimes towards humanity,” he stated, including he was once celebrating with folks within the crowd.
“I do know I’m a idiot and I am in a position to be punished however please consider that there was once no aim in my movements. There was once no fortify of Nazism or racism.”
The RAF stated it was once conscious about the incident and said it thought to be unacceptable “even an unintentional manifestation of fascism and Nazism in Russian motorsport and amongst Russian athletes.”
Severiukhin were competing for Ward Racing and the Swedish crew condemned his movements, including that it was once terminating his contract.
“Ward Racing accordingly condemns the non-public movements of pilot Artem Severyukhin all over the award rite on April 10, 2022 within the most powerful imaginable phrases, because it considers them a manifestation of unsportsmanlike habits, an unacceptable violation of the moral and ethical sports activities codex.
“With this observation, Ward Racing expresses its opinion, in addition to the opinion of all athletes and personnel of the Ward Racing crew. At the foundation of those concerns, Ward Racing sees no risk for persisted cooperation with Artem Severyukhin and can continue with terminating his racing contract.
“After all, Ward Racing want to express regret to people who had been harm or distressed via the prevalence.”
