MOSCOW, Apr 20 Hearing in the case of Russian karting driver Artem Severyukhin, who used the gesture , similar to a Nazi salute, will take place on April 21, according to the website of the International Automobile Federation (FIA). The stewards called the Ward Racing team and Severyukhin himself to a hearing that will be held via videoconference. The decision will be published after the hearing. Previously, Severyukhin, who drives under the Italian flag due to FIA sanctions against Russians, after winning the first stage of the European Karting Championship in Portimão, Portugal, used the “Roman salute” gesture on the podium (hitting himself in the chest and stretching his right hand forward). Severyukhin later stated that he wanted to thank the team and his relatives from Russia in this way, adding that in his gesture «there was no support for Nazism or fascism, there was no desire to offend spectators, pilots and the team.» The leadership of the Automobile Club of Italy (ACI) accepted the decision to immediately revoke Severyukhin's sports license, the FIA opened a disciplinary case, and the Ward Racing team terminated the contract with the pilot.
