Russian go-karting champion Artem Severiukhin has denied making a Nazi salute to have fun his most up-to-date victory Sunday.

Throughout a podium ceremony on the European Junior Karting Championship in Portugal, the 15-year-old racer pumped his chest earlier than extending his proper hand—a gesture many took to be a Nazi salute. The incident has sparked outrage throughout the go-karting group.

Nonetheless, the teenager mentioned the gesture was being misunderstood and that he by no means meant to carry out a Nazi salute. In a video first posted to Telegram on Monday, Severiukhin apologized and mentioned he has by no means supported Nazis, acknowledging that they're liable for "the worst crimes in humanity."

Go-karting champion Artem Severiukhin denies nazi salute
Russian go-karting champion Artem Severiukhin denied celebrating his racing victory with a Nazi salute Sunday amid world backlash. Above, individuals are seen go-karting in Sweden in August 2020.Michael Campanella/Getty Pictures

"I'm able to be punished," he mentioned within the video. "However please consider that there was no intention in my actions. There was no help for Nazis."

In separate remarks reported by Motorsport.com, he clarified that he was solely attempting to deal with his supporters and household, who're from Russia. He's at the moment racing with an Italian license because of the Fédération Internationale de l'Vehicle's (FIA) ban on Russian opponents over its invasion of Ukraine.

"Somebody noticed a nasty gesture in my actions, but it surely's not. I simply thanked them [my family]. I'm Russian. I'm from Russia and I stand by my nation," he mentioned.

FIA confirmed in an announcement on Twitter Monday that they've launched an "instant investigation into the unacceptable conduct" of Severiukhin, writing that extra steps within the investigation might be introduced "shortly."

In the meantime, his karting workforce Ward Racing additionally introduced in an announcement on Instagram on Monday that they may proceed with terminating the athlete's contact, because it sees "no continued cooperation."

"Ward Racing accordingly condemns the non-public actions of pilot Artem Severiukhin in the course of the award ceremony on April 10, 2022 within the strongest potential phrases, because it considers them a manifestation of unsportsmanlike conduct, an unacceptable violation of the moral and ethical sports activities codex," the assertion reads.

The Russian Vehicle Federation (RAF) is "clarifying the circumstances of the incident," the group mentioned in assertion reported by Sky Information. "We additionally report that we take into account unacceptable any, even an unintended manifestation of fascism and Nazism in Russian motorsport and amongst Russian athletes," the federation mentioned.

On social media, go-karting followers debated whether or not or not he ought to have the ability to proceed racing.

"TBH I wasn't in any respect satisfied that he even understood the phrases he is been given not to mention the impression of his behaviour. All he understands proper now could be loss - lack of his deal. Now take into consideration the loss in Ukraine. Actions have penalties whether or not you're 5, 15 or 50," wrote Twitter account @ditsy_woman.

"Possibly I am only a sucker however I really feel dangerous for the lad, truthfully seemed like he noticed somebody do the chest bump level factor individuals do than something genuinely nazi-ish - I hope the lad finally ends up okay, its so much to be dogpiled on at solely 15," wrote Twitter consumer @ElectabuzzKid.