As the exposure of and demand for motorsports grows globally, the FIA took a step back yesterday by releasing a heavily-European dominated preliminary (aka not final) calendar.

Here's How it Breaks Down:

10 Europe (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, GB, Hungary, Italy, Monaco, Russia, Spain)
3-5 Asia (Australia, Azerbaijan, Japan, China* Singapore*,)
3 North America (Canada, Mexico, U.S.A.)
2 Middle East  (Abu Dhabi, Bahrain)
1 South America (Brazil)

19-21 Races total

*Subject to approval by the FIA

Assuming we average it to 20 races, exactly 50% of 2018's Formula One events will take place in Europe. Compare that to another 20-race season (2012), with a few years distance to show a trend, and it becomes clear just how the sport has changed.

Here's how the 2012 calendar Broke Down:

8 Europe (Spain, European GP, Hungary, Germany, GB, Monaco, Belgium, Italy)
7 Asia (China, Malaysia, India, Korea, Australia, Japan, Singapore)
2 Middle East (Bahrain, Abu Dhabi)
2 North America (Canada, U.S.A.)
1 South America (Brazil)

Notably, only two markets have increased their race tally since 2012, Europe and North America. Asia could lose up to 4/7 races in 2018, decreasing their share % from 35 to 15 in just 6 years. This is not to say that races in Europe are less exciting or less valuable, but I think we can all agree that countries like France and Mexico are more well-established consumers of F1 than Korea or India. The latter market also happens to be much bigger.

F1 being centered in one location is nothing to be worried about. This isn't one of those 'F1 is doomed' articles. I'd be lying if I told you it was. But this trend is just outlining F1's "failure to stick" in these Asian markets. F1 is for the fans, and if the fans want a race in France more than they want it in Indonesia? So be it.