Video: Teenage Russian Karter Sacked Over Apparent Nazi Salute

A 15-year-old Russian karter has been sacked by his team and is being investigated by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) for making what appeared to be a Nazi salute after winning a race. Artem Severiukhin, competing under an Italian licence because the FIA has banned Russian competitors, struck his chest twice with his fist before extending his right arm on the winner's podium in Portimao, Portugal. He then burst out laughing. It happened following Severiukhin's win in the first round of the European Championship on Sunday.

#Russian driver Artyom Severyukhin, competing under the Italian flag at the #European Junior Karting Championship, showed a #Nazi salute at the awards ceremony.He competing under the #Italian flag because of the sanctions imposed on #Russia. pic.twitter.com/q4wOGHPsvR

The FIA said on Monday that "it has launched an immediate investigation into the unacceptable conduct of Mr Artem Severiukhin that occurred during the podium ceremony".

Severiukhin's Ward Racing team said they had fired him.

"Ward Racing is deeply in shame of the pilot's action," the Swedish team wrote on Instagram, adding that it had made clear its opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine by putting 'No War' stickers on driver helmets and has three Ukrainian refugee families travelling with the team.

A post shared by Ward Racing (@wardracingofficial)

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

In a video posted on Instagram, the teenager apologised but denied that it had been a Nazi gesture.

"Many perceived it to be a Nazi salute, it's not true, I have never supported Nazism and consider it