The Carlos Sainz Center, one of the two karting facilities owned by the family of the former Ferrari driver, has shut down for good. The facility itself announced the news, which was also reported by *El Diario*.
The recreational venue, located inside a shopping center in La Ermita del Santo, ceased operations at the end of January 2025. The decision to close the karting track was made by the Madrid City Council, which plans to demolish the facility to build 500 luxury apartments and towers up to 28 stories high as part of an urban redevelopment project.
The bowling alley, a popular meeting place for families, will remain open, as will the adjacent gym, the Paidesport Center, which offers paddle tennis, swimming, and even dance classes.
The Madrid City Council launched the project three years ago. The land, covering nearly 50,000 square meters, has seen a decline in foot traffic due to the closure of several stores. With the redevelopment, the site’s owners, Socimi Desarrollos Ermita del Santo, could increase the shopping center’s value fivefold. Initial plans estimate the land’s worth rising from €17.7 million to €81.8 million.
However, not everyone is in favor of the city’s new plan. Residents have voiced complaints about what the administration has described as an “urban development boom” and have proposed alternatives to oppose the project. One suggestion from citizens is to reduce the number of apartments initially planned. For now, according to *El Diario*, there is no confirmed start date for the redevelopment.
In recent years, this urban space has undergone two redevelopment efforts that have increased the area’s value. Nonetheless, for residents, the closure of Carlos Sainz’s karting track marks the end of an era.
The center was previously frequented by several football stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Ricardo Kaká.
Source: f1ingenerale
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