The FIA has confirmed that it has launched an investigation into 15-year-old karting racer Artem Severiukhin after he performed a salute during a podium ceremony last weekend.
Severiukhin is a Russian driver but is currently racing under an Italian licence.
Following his victory at the OK FIA Karting European Championship in Portimao, Severiukhin beat his chest twice before extending his arm outwards.
The salute is most closely associated with the Nazi movement, while it has also been suggested that he could have been performing the Roman salute of Italy.
The FIA has condemned Severiukhin’s action, confirming that it has started an investigation into the incident.
“The FIA confirms that it has launched an immediate investigation into the unacceptable conduct of Mr Arterm Severiukhinthat occurred during the podium ceremony for the OK category at Round 1 of the 2022 FIA Karting European Championship at the Kartodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal.
“The FIA will communicate shortly on the further steps that will be taken in this case.”
Severiukhin currently leads the OK FIA Karting European Championship standings after the opening round in Portugal.
Imagine a group of people so vile that laws must be passed to keep others from hating them.
Italians.
This from a country where if you tied their arms behind back they would be struck dumb ?
And the virtual signaling Fia are clearly insane .
Perhaps they think we have short memories that not too long ago had the son of an actual Fascist the Fia president and caught in a sex scandal dressed as an actual Nazi.