lamo wrote:
I've always thought Wheelchair design has not evolved, surely they can do better. Although a lot of weight and messy design is the folding mechanism.
By coincidence, I've been looking for a new wheelchair today.
Believe me, wheelchair design has evolved tremendously, both in terms of asthetics and materials used. The prices can be eye-watering. My old one is titanium with ultra lighweight wheels simliar to high-end racing cycles. All the decent ones are non-folding to save weight, but the wheels come off. We're talking 6.5kg, so even if an F1 team took 30% off it's not a dramatic benefit.
You can also get add-on electric wheels with a poor man's KERS system, but I won't be buying these again because the weight penalty is severe. Newey was right about that too.
You can get "stand up" chairs, both electric and mechanical, but these are best suited to people with full upper body mobility who want to use their hands to work or to stand at the bar in the pub with a pint. They also aid in avoiding osteoporosis, posture dependant low blood pressure and a host of other evils waiting in the wings. There is also the obvious psychological benefit - we all like to be as "normal" and unrestrricted as possible and even though he isn't building engines it might be nice do do an upright interview. You get fed up of people looking down at you or worse, talking over your head.
But, I digress.
The answer to the OP's question is no. Sir Frank's chair looks to be a commercially available job, in the £1500-£2500 bracket. I'm sure he could afford something flashier and I don't doubt the team could knock up something magnificent in carbon fibre. In his situation he will probably have several but trust me, all the photos I've seen look like commercial kit.
But there wouldn't be much point. He had a neck injury, resulting in very limited function in his arms and hands. Hence the hand splints he wears and the curious stiff wristed, palm out posture he uses to push. His chair needs are really more dependant on being able to get in and out, being able to propel himself short distances and be pushed longer distances to the motor home and back.
I wouldn't be surprised if he uses an electric chair with a joystick in the comfort of his own home.
In contrast, if you look at someone like Alex Zanardi, who lost his legs but has his arms and all his core muscles working, he has quite an array of flashy chairs, including some really nice racing chairs.