During 2001, Bernoldi performed respectably for the Arrows team, occasionally matching his more experienced teammate Jos Verstappen for pace. However, he gained notoriety for his efforts at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he held up the much faster David Coulthard for 35 laps; after a botched start, Coulthard had been fighting his way through the field, only to be stuck behind the Arrows, prompting irate responses from both Coulthard, and McLaren team principal Ron Dennis. Bernoldi was defended by his team boss Tom Walkinshaw, who hit back at McLaren. He failed to score any points in 2001, with 10 retirements from 17 starts, his highest finish being an eighth at the German Grand Prix.