(Reuters) – A 15-year-old Russian go-karter is being investigated by Motor racing’s world governing physique after he made an obvious Fascist-style salute on the podium at a race in Portugal final weekend.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) stated in a press release on Monday it had launched a right away investigation into Artem Severiukhin’s “unacceptable conduct”.
Video footage confirmed the teen, racing underneath an Italian flag because of sanctions imposed on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, tapping his chest with a clenched fist earlier than elevating his proper arm in salute after which laughing.
Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport described the gesture, made whereas the Italian anthem was performed after the Russian received the opening spherical of the European championship OK class in Portimao, as a Roman salute.
Film of the incident was extensively circulated and condemned on social media.
Ward Racing, the privately-owned Swedish workforce Severiukhin raced for, condemned his actions and stated in a press release it was “deeply in disgrace” at his ‘unsportsmanlike’ behaviour.
“Ward Racing sees no chance for continued cooperation with Artem Severiukhin and can proceed with terminating his racing contract,” the workforce added.
The motorsport.com web site quoted the teen, nevertheless, as saying it was a misunderstanding.
“I received the spherical of the European Championship and was very completely satisfied,” it stated a Russian Automobile Federation official had quoted him saying.
“I’m from Russia. I thanked the workforce and my kin from Russia. Someone noticed a nasty gesture in my actions, but it surely’s not. I simply thanked them. I’m Russian, I’m from Russia and I stand by my nation.”
The FIA introduced final month it might proceed to permit Russian drivers to participate in its competitions however not underneath the nation’s flag as no Russian symbols or colors could be displayed.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, further reporting by Catarina Demony, enhancing by Ken Ferris)
