Russian karting champion, 15, sacked for podium 'Nazi salute' insists he was NOT supporting fascism and that he was giving a traditional Italian gesture because he races under their flag

• e-mail

A Russian junior karting champion was booted off his racing team and is being investigated by tournament organisers after he appeared to do a Nazi salute on the podium before laughing hysterically.

Artem Severiukhin, 15, beat his chest and raised an open palm after winning first place in an 11-15 race at the European Karting Championships in Portugal yesterday. 

Severiukhin's team Ward Racing sacked the star kart pilot after tournament organisers the FIA launched an investigation into his 'unacceptable conduct'.

However the racer said the gesture was not a sign he supported fascism and instead claimed it was a traditional Italian gesture because he races under Italian flag. 

He said: 'I want to apologise. I have never supported Nazism and consider it one of the worst crimes against humanity.

'I am ready to be punished but there was no support for Nazism or fascism.' 

Artem Severiukhin, 15, holds his arm out defiantly for a few moments as the Italian national anthem plays

The Russian karting champion beat his chest twice before performing the gesture

His Swedish team said: 'Ward Racing condemns the personal actions of pilot Artem Severiukhin during the award ceremony on April 10, 2022 in the strong possible terms, as it considers them a manifestation of unsportsmanlike behaviour, an unacceptable violation of the ethical and moral sports codex.

'On the basis of these considerations, Ward Racing sees no possibility for continued cooperation with Artem Severiukhin and will proceed with terminating his racing contract.'

The teenager's sacking followed news earlier that the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) will probe the salute.

Artem then laughed hysterically to someone in the crowd, as if he was dared to raise the salute

Severiukhin (centre) won first place in the 11-15 bracket yesterday under the flag of Italy

They said this afternoon: '[FIA] has launched an immediate investigation into the unacceptable conduct.

'The FIA will communicate shortly on the further steps that will be taken in this case.'

Artem Severiukhin, 15, won first place in the 11-15 bracket yesterday.

He then beats his chest twice and raises an open palm into the air while giggling.

Severiukhin could have been performing the fascist Roman salute of Italy as he was competing under the Italy flag. It's not clear how he was able to compete under Italy's flag.

During the medal ceremony in Portimão, the Italian national anthem was also playing.

Yet in Italy the far-right gesture is also frowned upon - and has been illegal to perform in public since 1952.

The racer said the gesture was not a sign he supported fascism and instead claimed it was a traditional Italian gesture because he races under Italian flag

He said: 'I want to apologise. I have never supported Nazism and consider it one of the worst crimes against humanity. 'I am ready to be punished but there was no support for Nazism or fascism'

Under the post-war 'Scelba Law', all forms of 'Nazi apologism' were outlawed. 

The Kremlin has justified its war in Ukraine as a 'de-Nazification' effort.

Vladimir Putin said he invaded Ukraine to 'protect people subjected to bullying and genocide' by the 'neo-Nazi regime' of president Zelensky. 

After the footage went viral on Twitter and Reddit, furious users pointed out the callousness of Severiukhin's gesture (File image) 

Moscow's absurd claim comes despite the fact that Zelensky is Jewish. Prime minister Denis Shmyhal is also thought to have Jewish heritage.

After the footage went viral on Twitter and Reddit, furious users pointed out the callousness of Severiukhin's gesture.

Redditor Captain Woodrow-f call wrote: 'Women and Children are being slaughtered by demons [en masse] - but hell yeah, let's make a good joke about it. Unreal…just unreal.'

The news follows a Russian gymnast showing off the pro-Putin 'Z' logo at the gymnastics world championships last month.

Ivan Kuliak, 20, puffed his chest and showed off the 'Z' symbol next to his Ukrainian rival

Gymnast Ivan Kuliak, 20, puffed out his chest as he displayed the pro-war symbol beside his Ukrainian competitor Illia Kovtun.

The act drew condemnation from the International Gymnastics Federation, which said it would look into the 'shocking behaviour'. 

Earlier today the FIA told MailOnline it would not be commenting on the incident.