[Sports Road News]Russia invaded Ukraine, and the international sports world has imposed sanctions, but the 15-year-old Russian-Italian driver Artem Severiukhin won a European small racing championship on Sunday (10th), and was on the podium. After making a gesture suspected of being a Nazi salute, he was terminated by the team followingwards. The International Automobile Federation (FIA) stated that this behavior is unacceptable and will investigate.
According to a number of British media reports, Artem Severiukhin can only use an Italian license to play in the European Championships due to the boycott of Russia. He won the first lap of the event in Portugal on Sunday. When receiving the award, he gestured with his palms down and was accused of being a “Nazi” The tribute action, and the continuous laughter, the scene shocked the outside world, and he was expelled from the Swedish team Ward Racing to which he belonged.
Ward Racing issued a statement saying: “Deeply shamed for the driver’s personal actions and strongly condemns the violation of morality. What Artem Severiukhin did was completely personal and does not represent any position of Ward Racing. Ward Racing will stand with the international community and condemn Russia. The act of going to war in Ukraine and showing solidarity with the people who are innocent victims of the war.” The FIA also issued a statement on the same day, stating that the act in question was unacceptable and would investigate.
Artem Severiukhin apologized for the incident on IG, crying and saying that he did not support “Nazism”: “I was so happy when I won the European Championship. I am from Russia and I just want to thank my country.”
This article is by “Sportsroad“Originally published in “[Racing]15-year-old Russian driver suspected of making Nazi gestures when receiving award FIA investigation」
