From Formula 1 to the Next Wave: Helix Brings Motorsport Power to Marine

Helix has spent decades as a powerhouse in Formula 1, but the British engineering firm is now writing a new chapter in marine electrification. In an exclusive Q&A published in Marine Industry News, Chief Marine Engineer James Edwards discusses how the company is translating racing-proven technology into commercial marine applications.

The strategy began with high-performance projects like the Magic Carpet e, a hybrid sailing yacht that demonstrates what power-dense electric motors can achieve on water. Edwards explains how Helix’s motorsport background—developing solutions for Formula 1 and Formula E teams—provided the engineering foundation for marine applications. The company’s scalable, high-efficiency motors are now enabling solutions across service vessels, tugs, and mid-sized commercial boats, with partnerships across the boatbuilding industry already underway.

Edwards highlights a critical advantage: Helix’s approach to miniaturisation and mass savings directly translates from racing to marine. By reducing motor weight while maintaining power density, the company enables dramatic reductions in vessel interior space requirements, fuel consumption, and operating costs. Marine has become a central pillar of Helix’s strategic growth plan, with fully integrated, plug-and-play propulsion systems designed to simplify installation for OEMs and transform how vessels are designed.

Read the full article: From Formula 1 to the Next Wave — Marine Industry News, November 2025