Russian driver Artyom Severjuchin made a real disgrace at the European Karting Championship in the OK category in the Portuguese Algarve. Due to the start ban for Russian pilots, he took off under the Italian flag and finished for the title. However, he celebrated the triumph with a gesture that looked like Nazi defenses. His behavior is now being addressed by the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
Fifteen-year-old Severjuchin competed in Portugal under the Italian flag. Russians (also Belarusians) are otherwise allowed to participate in international motor racing only under a neutral flag.
And even on the condition that they will not have any Russian national elements such as a flag or tricolor on their machine, clothes or on social networks. It is a matter of course to renounce any support for aggression in Ukraine.
It is not yet clear how Severjuchin got the Italian license. However, it is quite clear that he did a very bad advertisement for the Apennine Peninsula and Russia despite his victory in the race.
During the ceremonial announcement during the playing of the Italian anthem, he first slammed his right hand on his chest and then opened with the same hand. Moreover, he crowned the shocking gesture evoking the horrors of World War II by making him laugh.
It was “denazification” that Russia argued in its invasion of Ukraine more than a month ago.
The video of the whole incident soon penetrated social networks and provoked a wave of horrified reactions. The FIA International Automobile Federation, under whose auspices the races took place in Portugal, also responded to the whole case on Monday afternoon.
“The FIA confirms that it has launched an investigation into the unacceptable behavior of Mr Artem Severjuchin during a medal ceremony following the European Karting Championship in the Algarve, Portugal,” the FIA said in a statement that further steps would follow quickly.
FIA response:
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