BMW and minis (sprinters too come to think of it) need a foot in the clutch to start. Don't ask me how I know! 🤣
It is good practice in any case
(a) in case you're in gear so you avoid bunny hopping
(b) it reduces the strain on the starter motor and battery as you're not also trying to turn the gearbox full of thick cold oil. This can be the difference between starting and not starting in winter, for some vehicles I've owned.
Not yet had a car with an interlock switch, but my Triumph motorcycle had it - and it became a failure point which prevented starting it at all till fixed, so whilst it's a safety feature that isn't entirely a good thing
