The Russian kart driver Artem Severiukhin caused a scandal in the first round of the FIA Karting European Championship.
After winning the race in Portimao on Sunday, the 15-year-old Russian hit his chest on the podium during the awards ceremony, stretched out his right arm in a Hitler salute and then burst out laughing.
Michael Wittershagen
Responsible for sports in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sunday newspaper.
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"I spoke to him right after the ceremony and told him that this behavior is unacceptable," says Joakim Ward, the owner of the Swedish Ward Racing Team, to the FAZ. He immediately ended his collaboration with Severiukhin.
The international motorsport federation FIA, which organized the competition in Portugal, said on Monday that it had launched an "immediate investigation into the unacceptable behaviour".
The FIA would shortly inform about further steps.
Due to the sanctions against Russia, Severiukhin was only able to take part in the race because he is flying the Italian flag.
This has been quite common in karting for years because it makes it easier for Russian athletes to travel.
According to information from the FAZ, the Italian motorsport association has also ruled out Severiukhin.
"That's no joke"
Ward said in an interview with the FAZ on Monday that he was shocked when he saw the pictures on the podium.
"It was terrible, and I'm terribly sorry about what happened there." Severiukhin then told him that he only wanted to joke with his friends.
"But this is no joke," Ward said.
In a statement on Monday, the racing team apologized to everyone who had been injured by the incident.
"It has long been and will continue to be a priority for Ward Racing to promote a more peaceful, inclusive and respectful racing environment," it said.
The FIA Kart European Championship will continue in three weeks with the race in the Spanish town of Zuera.