How can the status of Abu Bakr and Umar be higher than that of Ali ibn Abi Talib, considering the hadiths that praise him as an ideal and knowledgeable person, and Abu Bakr and Umar's recourse to him in difficult matters?

Abu Bakr al-Siddiq is the best of the Ummah after the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, then Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with them both. This is the belief of the Ahl al-Sunnah wal Jama'ah, and it has been established by legitimate proofs and the testimonies of the Companions, including Ali ibn Abi Talib himself. It has not been proven that Abu Bakr and Umar always asked Ali due to their ignorance. Rather, Abu Bakr was the most knowledgeable and most jurisprudent of the Companions, and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, affirmed this and put him forward in numerous situations, such as leading prayers and Hajj. He also consulted him for advice.