It is not correct to differentiate between the Salafis and Ahl al-Sunnah
Question

                What is your view of those who differentiate between the Salafis and Ahl al-Sunnah, and who regard the Salafis as a more specific group than Ahl al-Sunnah, and they that the principles of this group are based on the opinions of the group’s shaykhs?
Praise be to Allah.This 
          is not correct, because the Ahl al-Sunnah are those who follow the Sahaabah 
          and the path of the Salaf (the early generations of Islam). These are 
          not two distinct groups, and the Salafis are not a more specific group! 
        According 
          to the terminology that is well known, the Salaf are the Sahaabah and 
          those who follow their path, and the Ahl al-Sunnah are those who follow 
          the Sunnah of the Messenger  (peace 
          and blessings of Allaah be upon him). They are the ones concerning whom 
          the hadeeth was reported: “Whoever follows the same path as me and my 
          Companions” (The hadeeth about the saved group). 
 Stirring 
          up disputes and conflict on the grounds of names alone is not permissible. 
          Allaah has commanded the believers to be united and has forbidden them 
          to be divided and warned them against that. 
 The 
          individual’s aim must be to seek the truth, and when he speaks he should 
          say what is fair and just, and not hate individuals in such a way that 
          his hatred makes him reject the truth that the person is saying, or 
          look for faults in him. He should not come up with things that are ambiguous 
          or far-fetched for that purpose. This is not the way of Ahl al-Sunnah, 
          and the Muslim has to like for his brother what he likes for himself. 
          He must be sincere towards him, and hold love and sincerity in his heart.