The youngster won his event at the FIA European Karting Championship in Portimão, Portugal and video footage released online showed him slapping his chest and stretching his right arm as the Italian national anthem was played during the podium ceremony.
Severiukhin – who started with an Italian license after motorsport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), banned drivers from racing under the Russian flag during the invasion of Ukraine – then shared a laugh with the crowd from the crowd who did it from the camera.
In a video message sent to CNN by the Russian Automobile Federation (RAF), Severiukhin said he wanted to apologize but said he didn’t do a Nazi salute.
“It’s not true, I never supported Nazis. I consider it one of the worst crimes against humanity,” he said, adding that he was celebrating with people in the crowd.
“I know I’m a fool and I’m ready to be punished, but please believe my actions were not intentional. There was no support for Nazism or racism.”
The FIA confirmed it had opened an immediate investigation into the “unacceptable conduct” and said it would “briefly provide information on the further steps that will be taken in this case”.
The RAF said it was aware of the incident and stated it considered “even an accidental manifestation of fascism and Nazism in Russian motorsport and among Russian athletes” to be unacceptable.
Severiukhin competed for Ward Racing and the Swedish team condemned his actions, adding that they were terminating his contract.
“The team’s pilots are not united by country or any other category. Most drivers do not represent any country’s national team, but act individually,” read an official statement posted to Ward Racing’s Instagram on Monday.
“Ward Racing accordingly condemns the personal actions of pilot Artem Severyukhin during the awards ceremony on March 10.
“With this statement, Ward Racing expresses its opinion and the opinion of all athletes and employees of the Ward Racing team. Based on these considerations, Ward Racing sees no possibility of further cooperation with Artem Severyukhin and will proceed with the termination of his racing contract.
“Finally, Ward Racing would like to apologize to those who were injured or distressed as a result of the incident.”