Well it can be changed by the user or do you suggest that we change the default ?

Ahh, was a little quick there, but yes personally I would expect the shape (especially formula) to appear inline when I inline it ;)
But there is more.
It is a bit cumbersome to inline a shape where you want it because when selecting a shape by clicking on it, the text cursor is moved. So you need to go via the shape handling tool first to avoid the cursor move. Except for the text shape it seems. Hmmm must be some "standard" shape behavior that is not quite standard.
Also the shapes (except text shape) monopolize the cursor so you can't simply click yourself into a different shape, you have to go via shape tool.
Imho this needs to be fixed, it would drive many users crazy, but maybe not before 3.0.

yeah it's been like this sence 2.x series so nothing that needs to be fixed before release - also I plan on improving the placing UI - but have been focusing on bugs for a while