15-year-old Russian racing driver Artem Severyukhin apologized for his Nazi gesture at the European Junior Karting Championship in Portugal.

" But it's not like that. I never supported Nazism and consider it one of the worst crimes against humanity. I raced under an Italian license and won the race under the Italian flag. And the guys in front of the podium showed me that in Italy in such cases it is customary to hit oneself on the chest in the region of the heart, expressing gratitude. I just wanted to make this gesture.

How everything else happened, I can't explain.. I know that I am guilty, I know that I am stupid, and I am ready to be punished. Please understand me that I did not support Nazism or fascism with this gesture. I had no desire to offend the audience, pilots, fans, team or broadcast viewers.

Excuse me, please,"

Recall that Severyukhin took first place in the race of the first stage of the tournament in Portimao, Portugal. On the podium, the Russian showed a Nazi gesture and began to laugh.

The 15-year-old athlete, due to sanctions, competed for the team under the flag of Italy, using a racing license.

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Earlier it was reported that the Ward Racing team kicked out a Russian racer who showed a Nazi salute.