FIA set date for 'Nazi salute' karter hearing

The FIA has summoned karter Artem Severiukhin to a stewards' hearing to answer for his actions on the podium at a recent European Championship round.

15-year-old Russian karter Severiukhin caused a media storm after taking victory in the OK category at the first round of the FIA competition when he twice beat his chest on the podium before appearing to perform a Nazi salute.

The incident is of concern given Russian president Vladimir Putin's attempt to justify his invasion of Ukraine as a 'de-Nazification' effort.

Severiukhin, who was racing at Portimao under an Italian licence, has been stripped of this accreditation and has also been axed by his team, Ward Racing.

The driver has since denied the Nazi connotations of the gesture and has proclaimed himself "ready to be punished".

As confirmed by the FIA on Wednesday, he will now face the FIA stewards on Thursday, April 21.

The statement reads: "Following the events during the podium ceremony for the OK category Round 1 of the 2022 FIA Karting European Championship in Portimao, the stewards have summoned Ward Racing Team and the driver Mr Artem Severiukhin for a hearing via video conference on Thursday, April 21 at 11:00am CET.

"Any decision will be communicated to the relevant parties and published after the hearing."

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