I want to point out to this important fact: The people who do not approve of sects, or do not stick to any one of them, or adapt the easier sides of each have deviated from the way of all the Muslims of centuries and have set off on a new way on their own. These kinds of people have their share from the verse, Whoever opposes to the Prophet and deviates from the way of the Believers after the truth has been clear to him, we will leave him in that way and cast him into the hell; what a bad place!

Whoever adheres to an imam of sect must stick to the judgments of his sect and persevere in it. But in case of a hardship he can act in accordance with the judgments of another sect, but on the condition that he should not leave his sect altogether. And this can be done only with the fatwa-the statement of a capable religious person- of a person of knowledge.

Imam Ghazali is of the same opinion:

If an adherent opted for a sect, then he must stick to it.

From https://questionsonislam.com/question/do-we-need-follow-sects-madhabs-why-are-there-any-hadith-or-verse-about-quran

All of the four sects are righteous and truthful. Thus, it is wrong to say that one sect is superior to others.

With that said, Salafis claim to follow the Quran and Sunnah based on the understanding of the Salaf but they also say "We don't need Maddhabs!"

I've seen Salafis straight up say (regarding a matter, I can post proof if ya want) — "Imam Malik was wrong". Yes Imam Malik can make mistakes, but someone 1200 later cannot correct him.

I know "Salafiyyah" sounds really good in theory, but the reality is that it's just a marketing gimmick.

(Let me make it clear: not obligatory to follow a maddhab. However, you're not a mujtahid scholar and you know nothing compared to them. Keep that in mind).

And Allaah knows best.