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:

F1 veteran Mike Gascoyne is pivoting his firm, MGI Engineering, from motorsport to developing eVTOL cargo drones, applying Formula 1's lightweight design and aerodynamic expertise to the nascent aerospace industry.
MGI has launched its "Mosquito" cargo drone demonstrator, planning two configurable models (up to 1,100 lbs payload) designed as a "plug-and-play" system for diverse applications like medical and rural deliveries.
The strategy focuses on building a safety record with cargo eVTOLs in less risky environments before tackling passenger transport, acknowledging certification as a significant but surmountable challenge.

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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.