F3 racer Gaby dela Merced on FHM cover

Formula 3 racing diva Gaby dela Merced debuts on the cover of this February's FHM, according to the Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP). This is Dela Merced's first-ever sexy shoot for a men's magazine, another milestone for FHM. In fact, Dela Merced admits in the magazine interview that her family was shocked by her decision to pose sexy. She says: "A lot of them were shocked. For the people who know me, they were surprised. I have to admit it took a lot of thought. But I know that this magazine is respected despite the negative perception it gets in some circles. It's a men's magazine, yes, but it's not Penthouse nor is it Playboy. And at the end of the day, I did this shoot with my principles still intact." Dela Merced says that her love for cars began several years back, and that growing up with boys had a lot to do with this. "I think I was fascinated more with driving," she says. "I wasn't much of a gearhead growing up. I wasn't the type who knew the insides of an engine." She laughs: "In fact, back then, if you showed me a Toyota and a Honda emblem, I wouldn't know the difference. Now I can say my knowledge of cars is above average. I would know what's wrong with my engine. At least I think I know." More than being a race car driver, Dela Merced also works for the stock market. "Well, the stock market is a 9-to-12 thing — it opens in the morning and closes at noon. So in the afternoon, you more or less have control of your time," she says. "That's when I can juggle meetings with sponsors and my other rackets — because I don't just do stocks, there are other business ventures that I'm getting into right now." The 23-year-old racer participated in the local Slalom Championship back in 2001, where she became the Ladies Champion. The following year, she placed third overall in the Philippine Touring cars, under the Novice Production class. In 2003, Gaby again placed third overall in the Philippine BRC Production Touring Car Championship. That same year, she placed second overall Production Class in the Philippine Petron GP Touring Car Series. For 2004, she finished third overall in the Philippine Formula Toyota Championship. Her hard work paid off—she was named Formula BMW Asia Scholarship Driver in the same year. To read the full load on Gaby, get a copy of the February 2007 issue of FHM — now available in all leading bookstores and magazine stands nationwide. - Philippine Entertainment Portal