Which gear must an automatic transmission car be in to start?

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Starting in Park is about safety and control. In an automatic transmission, Park engages a parking pawl that locks the transmission output shaft, which prevents the wheels from turning as the engine starts. This keeps the car from rolling if something slips or if you’re on a slope. The ignition system is designed so the engine can start only when the transmission is in Park (and sometimes Neutral as a secondary option in some models). Driving or reversing while starting could cause the car to lurch, so those gears aren’t used for starting. Neutral isn’t ideal because it doesn’t lock the wheels, so the vehicle could move if conditions change, even though the engine can start there on some cars.