MOSCOW, May 13. The International Automobile Federation (FIA) annulled the result of Russian Artem Severyukhin at the first stage of the European Karting Championship, after which he used a gesture on the podium that caused a scandal, GP Fans reports, citing an official statement from the organization. Based on the results of the investigation, the FIA stewards ruled that the gesture of the Russian «can be regarded as a Nazi salute.» They described the rider's actions as «unacceptable and highly reprehensible» and declared that the action violated five articles of the international sporting code, including the «prohibition of public incitement to violence or hatred.» The FIA disqualified the Russian only from the stage of the European Championship in Portugal, where he won and showed a gesture. Earlier, Severyukhin, who competes under the Italian flag due to FIA sanctions against the Russians, after winning the first stage of the European Karting Championship in Portimão, Portugal, hit on the podium chest and extended 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 Ward Racing team terminated the contract with the pilot. Severyukhin is 15 years old, he is the winner of the Russian championship in karting in 2019 and 2020.
