Here is where the regulations allow a hole in the rear diffuser for the external starter shaft to enter:
3.12.7 ... An aperture for the purpose of allowing access for the device referred to in Article 5.16 is
permitted in this surface. However, no such aperture may have an area greater than 3500mm2
when projected onto the surface itself and no point on the aperture may be more than 100mm
from any other point on the aperture.
And here is the referenced Article 5.16:
5.16 Materials and construction – Pressure charging and exhaust systems :
Seems like a reference to an external starter rule that no longer exists. Then later:
5.18 Starting the engine :
It must be possible for the driver to start the engine at any time when seated normally at the
wheel and without any external assistance.
I hope the rules will be clarified to disallow external starters, or at least to eliminate the access hole in the diffuser. This would save the aero people from dicking around with how to best use this access hole for aero performance.
Self starting F1 cars are an obvious improvement that has been a looooong time coming. =D> =D>