Well, if the start was waved off, either the SCD message would appear or an Admin would say so. When the LEADER CONTROLS PACE message comes up, the track is clear and the SC is in pits, so the race is on once you reach the s/f. Contrary to previous years
when DWB was in charge and wanted tight restarts (6.), the best thing for restarts is to have the leader decide when to go, usually resulting in a strung out field and much less carnage.
A new restart system was introduced at Kyoto, though it seems Benji didn't update the rules :o
Start of last SC lap: SC IN THIS LAP
SC pulls away, and gets to pit entry: SC CLEAR - LEADER CONTROLS PACE
Leader can go at any time, no overtaking until s/f line - when the leader has accelerated: GREEN FLAG
This is essentially what happens in real motorsport, obviously in LFS people can't see flashing SC lights etc so need to be told when it's in.