Berger: DTM can't avoid Le Mans clash with new Anderstorp race in 2020

The DTM announced its 2020 calendar in September and it features 10 rounds - including further new additions Monza and Russian circuit Igora Drive alongside Anderstorp - but also clashes with Le Mans and Formula E's New York round.

The Le Mans clash has proved costly for Audi's Mike Rockenfeller, with the factory Corvette Racing driver said to have lost his seat with the American marque as a consequence of being unable to race at Le Mans.

Clashes also mean that Dragon Racing's Nico Muller will skip New York's FE race in order to race for Audi at the Norisring, while Robin Frijns will prioritise racing for Envision Virgin Racing in FE and requires Audi to find a stand-in.

When Berger was asked if the DTM could move its Swedish round to avoid a clash, he said: "No.

"It's not because I don't want to, it's a nightmare - a total nightmare - just to let you know, you have some race tracks that you give dates to - like Norisring for example - it's blocked [to a set date].

"Then you have the next important thing, keeping the audience flow for TV. So if you have four weeks off, race, two weeks off, race - you need a certain flow. It's a need for TV channels.

"Then you have manufacturers running drivers in Formula E, and you think 'OK'. Then you have 24-hour races with manufacturers, like Spa. OK. Then comes Le Mans."

Berger added the DTM's intention is to avoid clashes with Le Mans and Formula E.

"We are trying every year and even Formula 1 has clashed with Le Mans," he said.

"You start [the DTM season] in March and end in October and you need a summer break.

"There was no way to avoid Le Mans [in 2020]."