12.04.2022
While the extraordinary meeting of the Sports Council of the Automobile Club of Italy – called to take urgent measures following the unqualifiable and unacceptable gesture of the Russian kart driver Artem Severyukhin, on the podium of the European junior karting race in Portimao (Portugal) – it is still ongoing, it is learned that the Board itself decided to immediately withdraw Severyukhin’s sports license and, at the same time, referred it to the Sports Justice so that it can evaluate the definition of further sanctions that fall within its sphere of competence.
Unavoidable measures, since, with his reckless gesture, Severyukhin has shown a lack of respect not only for the universal values that have always inspired every sport, but also for humanity, dignity and civil coexistence.
Severyukhin had obtained the Italian license, as required by the FIA regulations (the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), which leave young drivers of all nationalities the widest freedom of movement among the international federations, to allow them to grow professionally in those Countries – such as Italy – which have a great tradition in terms of training in motorsport and introducing drivers to professionalism.
Our country, in particular, has always been the most important in the world as regards the practice of karting, as evidenced by the fact that in 2021 alone 355 foreign drivers, of various nationalities, obtained the Italian sports license for this discipline.