Artem Severyukhin next season will drive for the Lennox Racing karting team in the KZ2 class. “Everyone deserves a second chance in life, especially when it comes to teenagers,” said the head of Lennox Racing
Photo: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Russian driver Artem Severyukhin, who got into a Nazi salute scandal last season, has signed a contract with the Lennox Racing karting team. This was reported on Instagram (the owner of the social network, the Meta company is recognized as an extremist organization in Russia and banned) of the team, which belongs to the Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc.
In 2023, the 15-year-old Russian kart driver will compete in the KZ2 class.
“Everyone deserves a second chance in life, especially when it comes to teenagers. Artem has certainly learned from what happened at the beginning of this year and we are more than happy to help him in the pursuit of his dream. Looking forward to starting this adventure with you,” said Team Principal Jordon Lennox-Lamb.
Photo: Social networks of Artem Severyukhin
Severyukhin celebrated victory in the first stage of the European Karting Championship, which took place in Portimão, Portugal on April 11, with a gesture similar to the Nazi salute. The athlete participated in the tournament under the Italian flag due to the sanctions of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) once morest the Russians. While on the podium, Severyukhin used the “Roman salute” gesture (hit his chest with his fist and raised his outstretched arm up at an angle) and then laughed.
The rider himself explained his behavior with emotions, and called the gesture a kind of expression of gratitude to his team. Severyukhin also assured that he did not put any negative meaning into his action. Russian Automobile Federation condemned incident. Karting team Ward Racing terminated the contract with the Russian. Also Automobile Club of Italy (ACI) withdrew a sports license from a Russian racer. FIA admitted Russian rider guilty of violating five points of the organization’s code, including “public incitement to violence or hatred”, his result at the competition in Portimão was annulled.
