F1 Engineering Gives Lift to Cargo eVTOL Drone Design

MGI Engineering, a maker of motorsport technology, just unveiled its cargo drone demonstrator—here’s what the CEO had to say.

Jack Daleo

Friday, April 28, 2023 at 01:13 PM ET

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Mike Gascoyne, founder and CEO of MGI Engineering, in front of the company’s eVTOL cargo drone demonstrator and an F1 car. [Courtesy: MGI Engineering]

Key Takeaways:

Renowned F1 engineer Mike Gascoyne is pivoting his company, MGI Engineering, from motorsport to the challenging electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) cargo drone industry.
MGI aims to apply its F1-honed expertise in lightweight design and aerodynamics to overcome the critical weight and efficiency challenges inherent in eVTOL technology, positioning itself as a high-end design consultancy for industry partners.
The company has launched its configurable "Mosquito" cargo drone demonstrator, planning models capable of carrying payloads up to 1,100 pounds, with an initial strategic focus on safer rural and specialized logistical applications (e.g., medical, ship-to-shore) to build a safety record before expanding into passenger transport.

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Mike Gascoyne has climbed the Himalayas. He’s completed a 3,200-mile crossing of the Atlantic by himself. He’s spent over 25 years at the senior technical management level in Formula 1, working for teams around the world. But Gascoyne’s next challenge might be his biggest.

MGI Engineering, founded by Gascoyne in 2003, has served the motorsport industry for decades now—and even launched its own F1 team, Caterham. Now, the firm is pivoting to a new focus: aerospace, specifically electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) cargo drones.