The FIA condemned Russian kart racer Artem Severiukhin for his “reprehensible” behaviour after he was accused of performing a Nazi salute at an FIA karting event in April.
Severiukhin was disqualified from the event, losing his victory in the OK category at round one of the 2022 FIA Karting European Championship.
The FIA barred drivers from entering its events under Russian licences after the country invaded Ukraine in February. Severiukhin entered the karting round at the Kartodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal using an Italian licence.
Prior to the event he signed the FIA’s Driver Commitment which applies to Russian competitors and includes an undertaking to “not make any statements or comments, take any actions, or conduct myself in a manner that is prejudicial to the interests of the FIA, any competition, and/or motorsport generally.”
However the FIA stewards began an investigation after video appeared of Severiukhin raising his right arm during the post-race performance of Italy’s national anthem.
Following the investigation on April 22nd the stewards ruled Severiukhin had violated five clauses of the International Sporting Code, including the prohibition of “public incitement to violence or hatred”.
The stewards noted they “received after the competition a report from the FIA Karting race director and a report from the FIA Karting media coordinator regarding the facts that happened during the prize giving podium with [Severiukhin] whose behaviour can be considered as the ‘Nazi salute’. The stewards also received a video that clearly shows the behavior of the driver.”
Severiukhin posted a video apologising for his behaviour and the stewards noted his expression of regret. However they stated: “After hearing the entrant and the driver and check[ing] the video evidence, and even if the driver expressed his deep regret for his inappropriate gesture during the podium ceremony, the stewards consider this type of behaviour unacceptable…